MKI / MKII S type 240 340 & Daimler 1955 - 1967

Reversing light switch

Old Feb 6, 2023 | 04:49 PM
  #1  
pompey1's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Reversing light switch

Hello everybody im new on here and looking forward to chatting and gaining knowledge of these classic cars , i do have a question for you all i hope someone can point me in the right direction i have a Daimler sovereign 420 1969 i recently brought im in the process of sorting out some problems with it , not owned a car this old before so its a big learning curve , any way i dont have any reversing lights and it would seem to point to the Lucas sensor 34774 which is attached to the steering column , only trouble is im having problems trying to locate one i am based in the uk if anyone can help me out it would greatly apricated
regards mick
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2023 | 03:24 AM
  #2  
Peter3442's Avatar
Veteran Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 1,463
From: Oxford, UK
Default

I'd seen one for automatics from SC, but it's the type that goes on the side of the gearbox.
 

Last edited by Peter3442; Feb 7, 2023 at 03:29 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2023 | 04:28 AM
  #3  
Cass3958's Avatar
Veteran Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Torquay Devon England
Default

You don't say if your car is an auto or manual. If it is Manual then the reversing sensor as you call it is in the top of the gearbox and is part number C1083 found here at SNG. https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...milyId=%5B4%5D

If it is an Auto then C23291 is your part number but neither SNG or David Manners stock them. Could not find it on SC's website either. The part must be around you just have to find someone who deals with the BW Model 8 gearbox that was in lots of classic cars from the 50s onwards.

Having said that have you tried adjusting the switch. They are quite difficult to set up as there is a fine line between having the reverse lights on and having the inhibitor set on. The switch is repairable as I have had one to pieces on my S Type and it is just a plunger that connects at different levels to electrical contacts to illuminate the reversing lights or to send power to the ignition system. No fancy electronics here just a simple plunger on a spring in a tube.
Have you also checked the wiring to the reverse lights to see if you have or can make power go to the lights?
If a reverse switch cannot be found you could always fit an auxiliary switch that allows you to send power to the reversing lights to turn them on when needed. Not concourse but solves a problem.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2023 | 07:00 AM
  #4  
Jose's Avatar
Veteran Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 2,662
From: Florida
Default

I have a new old stock inhibitor switch but it is for the S type with DG250 automatic transmission.
The 420 automatic uses a different inhibitor switch.

However, if the switch is mounted to the steering column, it could be a matter of adjusting it.

How to adjust?
place shifter in R and turn ignition switch to ON.
loosen the rear nut at the switch and very slowly, rotate the switch until the reverse lights come on.
(a second person watching the lights helps a lot). Tighten the nut at the point the lights are ON.

​​​​​​Then TEST to make sure that the engine can be started ONLY IN P or N ( Park or Neutral ). If you can start the engine in any other shifter position, then you need to re-adjust the switch again.

I have learned that these inhibitor switches have a rotational adjustment for the Reverse lights, BUT ALSO a Forward and Backwards adjustment for the shifter gears, via the Rod that connects the switch to the shifter arm; This second adjustment is what inhibits the engine from being started in any gear other than P or N.

Hope this helps.



 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2023 | 09:40 AM
  #5  
pompey1's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Cass3958
You don't say if your car is an auto or manual. If it is Manual then the reversing sensor as you call it is in the top of the gearbox and is part number C1083 found here at SNG. https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...milyId=%5B4%5D

If it is an Auto then C23291 is your part number but neither SNG or David Manners stock them. Could not find it on SC's website either. The part must be around you just have to find someone who deals with the BW Model 8 gearbox that was in lots of classic cars from the 50s onwards.

Having said that have you tried adjusting the switch. They are quite difficult to set up as there is a fine line between having the reverse lights on and having the inhibitor set on. The switch is repairable as I have had one to pieces on my S Type and it is just a plunger that connects at different levels to electrical contacts to illuminate the reversing lights or to send power to the ignition system. No fancy electronics here just a simple plunger on a spring in a tube.
Have you also checked the wiring to the reverse lights to see if you have or can make power go to the lights?
If a reverse switch cannot be found you could always fit an auxiliary switch that allows you to send power to the reversing lights to turn them on when needed. Not concourse but solves a problem.
hello and thankyou so much for your great reply i have now sourced a replacement part from a guy selling E-Type spares online have been looking around like you say extremely rare to find i guessed it might be simple technology being period of that time i haven't tried adjusting it im guessing its a case of altering the length shorter/longer on the rod mechanism , do you know anybody that repairs the clock in the centre of dash ?
regards mick
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2023 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
Jose's Avatar
Veteran Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 2,662
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by pompey1
.... i haven't tried adjusting it im guessing its a case of altering the length shorter/longer on the rod mechanism , do you know anybody that repairs the clock in the centre of dash ? regards mick
yes, adjusting the length is one of two adjustments.

Clock: check with Mike Eck at www.jaguarclock.com

 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2023 | 10:35 AM
  #7  
pompey1's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

thankyou for your reply u say there's 2 adjustments what's the other one ?
regards mick
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2023 | 10:43 AM
  #8  
Jose's Avatar
Veteran Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 2,662
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by pompey1
thankyou for your reply u say there's 2 adjustments what's the other one ?
regards mick
Hi, I explained in my post above, the rotational adjustment.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ft59
XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 )
0
Apr 18, 2021 08:15 PM
lewisj
XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III
10
Apr 27, 2017 02:38 PM
MJG
XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III
2
Jan 31, 2013 05:55 AM
Mds031508
XJS ( X27 )
1
Aug 4, 2011 06:22 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:37 PM.